Peachtree Quantum was introduced a few years ago with an eye toward businesses that have outgrown the original Peachtree Premium Accounting--those that don't want to spend many thousands of dollars on midrange accounting software but still need more data capacity and sophisticated features. Quantum serves its market well, with the ability to handle large data requirements, features pulled from vertical solutions (like work tickets, inventory trend analysis, expanded assembly abilities, and progress billing), and support for up to 40 users. The 2010 edition adds potent new features like a customizable dashboard and Order Process Workflow (for keeping track of the status of an order). At its core, Quantum is jam-packed with accounting expertise in a way that QuickBooks Enterprise Solutions 9.0 can't match. But despite Quantum's ease of use and capability-stretching add-ons, it ultimately pales compared to the QuickBooks product, which beats it in both those regards.

Peachtree Quantum isn't difficult to use, although it's not quite as simple and sleek as QuickBooks Enterprise. Quantum is, however, much more intuitive and understandable than Sage BusinessWorks 50 Accounting 2009. In a left vertical pane, the Quantum home page displays tabs representing each functional area of the program, like Customers & Sales and Employees & Payroll. Click one, and the main window gives you an interactive, in-depth rundown of data and tasks related to that module. For example, clicking on Inventory & Services displays icons for options like Inventory Items, Receive Inventory, and Track Packages. If there's a little triangle in the lower right, it means you have multiple options. In Price, for example, the triangle leads to Set Up Item Prices and Set Up Quantity Discounts options.

On the right of the screen is a list of inventory items, along with select reports. If you're in the Customers & Sales module, you can click the Customer Management tab, select a customer, and view a history of different transaction types. QuickBooks Enterprise offers similar access but tends to tuck tasks and data away more efficiently. BusinessWorks, on the other hand, uses a system of clunky, multilayered menus instead.

Record forms are more detailed in Peachtree Quantum than in QuickBooks, allowing for more tracking of information in one compact area. Nowhere is this more evident than in Quantum's inventory area. Among the capabilities at your disposal: You can create up to 10 price levels per item, and select from among multiple costing methods; you can track a weight and a location for each item, and fill in item attributes; and the record displays the sales history of items, bill of materials, and serial numbers. QuickBooks Enterprise has a strong inventory add-on, but Peachtree has more built-in inventory oomph. BusinessWorks gives you even more detailed control than either. Next: Peachtree Payroll and Reporting

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About the Author

Kathy Yakal has been annoying computer magazine editors since 1983, when she got her first technology writing job because she tagged along with her ex-husband on a job interview. She started freelancing and specializing in financial applications when PCs became financial tools for consumers and small businesses (after a stint at a high-end accounti... See Full Bio

Peachtree Quantum 2010

Peachtree Quantum 2010

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